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Venezuela made international news last week for a series of protests opposing the current socialist government and the resulting violence. Hun School alumnus Leopoldo López Mendoza ’89 stands bravely at the center of this turmoil, fighting for the rights of the Venezuelan people, even as his own safety and freedom are increasingly at risk

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Venezuela made international news last week for a series of protests opposing the current socialist government and the resulting violence. Hun School alumnus Leopoldo López Mendoza ’89 stands bravely at the center of this turmoil, fighting for the rights of the Venezuelan people, even as his own safety and freedom are increasingly at risk. An arrest warrant was issued for Mr. López, last week, who has pledged to lead a march on Tuesday, February 18th. Secretary of State John Kerry issued a statement on Saturday opposing threats against Mr. López. In support of our Venezuelan students and alumni, The Hun School community will dress in white Tuesday.

Mr. López, a political legacy in Venezuela, served as the mayor of Chacao, Caracas for eight years and in 2012 ran for president of Venezuela. He and his supporters oppose current president Nicolás Maduro. Last week, Mr. López attended a series of peaceful protests, where three young civilians were shot and killed. An arrest warrant has subsequently been issued for Mr. López.

According to the February 16th B BC report, Mr. López has not been seen since Wednesday, but pledged via Twitter to lead Tuesday’s march despite the threats against him. "I will be there to show my face. I have nothing to fear. I have not committed any crime. If there is any order to illegally arrest me, well, I will be there.” Mr. López has also asked his supporters to dress in white on Tuesday "to reaffirm our commitment to peace."

On Saturday, February 15th, Secretary of State John Kerry issued a statement expressing concern about the rising tensions in Venezuela. "We are particularly alarmed by reports that the Venezuelan government has arrested or detained scores of anti-government protesters and issued an arrest warrant for opposition leader Leopoldo López," read the statement.

After graduating from The Hun School in 1989, Mr. López attended Kenyon College and Harvard University before returning to Venezuela. Mr. López is the great-great-great-grandson of the country's first president, Cristobal Mendoza. Mr. López’ father, Leopoldo Lopez (Sr.) ’63 also attended The Hun School.

About The Hun School of Princeton:

The Hun School of Princeton is a co-educational, private day and boarding school in Princeton, New Jersey. Individual attention and strong student-faculty relationships are the hallmarks of the School. On the 45-acre campus between Philadelphia and New York City, student-centered, hands-on learning prepare students for the global community in which they will live and work. The Hun School is comprised of 629 students in its Middle School, Upper School, and Postgraduate Program. The Hun School is home to students from seventeen countries and fifteen states.